Week of January 23rd

This Week's Focus:

sight words:  what
with, me, come, my, we, go, see, a, I, the, like,  to, can, and
Phonics:  Ll and Uu

Phonemic Awareness:  phoneme segmentation, final sounds
Reading:
Reading Strategies:  make your finger match the word,
                                 look at the Pictures (Eagle Eye)
                                check the first letter of the word (lips the fish)
                                 stretch out the sounds in the word (stretchy snake)
Word Family: -ap family
Comprehension Skills: inferring, making connections
Theme: penguins
Math: Numbers to 20
Student of the Week: Ashton

Important Dates:
January 27:  Minimum Day
January 31:  Hundred Day
February 14: Valentine Centers (parent help needed)

Homework:
*Given the new additions to homework, I made a note on the front of your child's homework if they were missing a piece.  Also, Share Homework continues to be a part of weekly homework.
We will have a few added components to our weekly homework.
1.  One Minute Read:  Be sure to practice daily.  Instructions are clear on it.  Return in folder on Friday.
2.  Word Family Practice:  Instructions are on it.

Don't forget to have your child complete the Daily Homework, nightly reading, and sight word flash cards.

Guided Reading:
Remember:
*Return book bag daily along with their Take Home Folder
There may be days when you see the same book come home.  Have your child reread the book and send it back the next day.

Book Orders:

Scholastic book order forms will come home in Folders on Tuesday.  You can click the "Book Orders" tab to find a link to order on-line.  Please place orders before Monday.

3 Piggy Opera:
Your child may have mentioned a play we will be performing for you.  We will perform our 3 Piggy Opera play on March 10th.  That is a minimum day.  You won't want to miss it so mark your calendars.

Valentines Day:
We will celebrate Valentines Day on February 14th by having some Valentine centers and a valentine exchange.
Important:  In kindergarten, it is easiest if you and your child DO NOT put individual's names on valentines.  There are 24 students in the class and it's best to just send 24 of the same valentine's for them to pass out.
I would love parent help on this day from 9:30-11:10.  Let me know if you are board approved and available to help.  Thank you!

100th Day:
We will celebrate our 100th day of school on January 31st.  We are asking all kindergarten and TK students to create a 100th day t-shirt and information on this is in the take home folder this week.  

Week of January 16th

This Week's Focus:

sight words:  with
me, come, my, we, go, see, a, I, the, like,  to, can, and
Phonics:  Hh and Kk

Phonemic Awareness:  phoneme segmentation, final sounds
Reading:
Reading Strategies:  make your finger match the word,
                                 look at the Pictures (Eagle Eye)
                                check the first letter of the word (lips the fish)
                                 stretch out the sounds in the word (stretchy snake)
Word Family: -an family
Comprehension Skills: inferring, making connections
Theme: snow
Math: Numbers to 20
Student of the Week: Rielyn

Important Dates:
January 16:  No school MLK Day
January 27:  Minimum Day
January 31:  Hundred Day
February 14: Valentine Centers (parent help needed)

Homework:
*Given the new additions to homework, I made a note on the front of your child's homework if they were missing a piece.  Also, Share Homework continues to be a part of weekly homework.
We will have a few added components to our weekly homework.
1.  One Minute Read:  Be sure to practice daily.  Instructions are clear on it.  Return in folder on Friday.
2.  Word Family Practice:  Instructions are on it.

Don't forget to have your child complete the Daily Homework, nightly reading, and sight word flash cards.

Guided Reading:
I assessed all students reading levels last week and your child will begin bringing home a book bag with a book at his/her instructional level.  A level is printed on the back of the book.  Our goal is to reach a level 5 or above by June.  You can help your child be successful with this by consistently practicing the One Minute Read, practicing Sight Word cards, and allowing your child to reread his/her book from her book bag at least one time nightly.  I can't express enough the importance of sight words at this level.
Remember:
*Return book bag daily along with their Take Home Folder

Book Orders:

Scholastic book order forms will come home in Folders on Tuesday.  You can click the "Book Orders" tab to find a link to order on-line.  Please place orders before next Monday.

3 Piggy Opera:
Your child may have mentioned a play we will be performing for you.  We will perform our 3 Piggy Opera play on March 10th.  That is a minimum day.  You won't want to miss it so mark your calendars.

Valentines Day:
We will celebrate Valentines Day on February 14th by having some Valentine centers and a valentine exchange.
Important:  In kindergarten, it is easiest if you and your child DO NOT put individual's names on valentines.  There are 24 students in the class and it's best to just send 24 of the same valentine's for them to pass out.
I would love parent help on this day from 9:30-11:10.  Let me know if you are board approved and available to help.  Thank you!

100th Day:
We will celebrate our 100th day of school on January 31st.  We are asking all kindergarten and TK students to create a 100th day t-shirt and information on this is in the take home folder this week.  

Week of January 8th

Hello everyone!  Hope everyone had a wonderful vacation and blessed holiday!
I'm looking forward to getting back into routine and I am missing your little ones!  We are beginning our second trimester of kindergarten and it's going to be a fun one!  Take note:  there are a few added components to homework beginning this week.  It is important to help develop good homework habits early.  When your child moves on to first grade, they will have consequences for not completing all their homework.

This Week's Focus:

sight words:  me
 come, my, we, go, see, a, I, the, like,  to, can, and
Phonics:  Jj and Ee

Phonemic Awareness:  phoneme segmentation, final sounds
Reading:
Reading Strategies:  make your finger match the word,
                                 look at the Pictures (Eagle Eye)
                                check the first letter of the word (lips the fish)
                                 stretch out the sounds in the word (stretchy snake)
Word Family: -at family
Comprehension Skills: inferring, making connections
Theme: Martin Luther King Jr
Math: Numbers to 20
Student of the Week: I will choose on Monday

Important Dates:
January 16:  No school MLK Day
January 27:  Minimum Day

Changes in Homework:
We will have a few added components to our weekly homework.
1.  One Minute Read:  Be sure to practice daily.  Instructions are clear on it.  Return in folder on Friday.
2.  Word Family Practice:  Instructions are on it.

Don't forget to have your child complete the Daily Homework, nightly reading, and sight word flash cards.

Guided Reading:
I will be working on assessing all students individual reading levels over the next few weeks.  I will be placing students into groups according to these levels.  Remember, our goal is to have all Kinders at or above a level 5 by the end of the year.  I will communicate your child's current level to you within a few weeks.

Week of December 12th

This Week's Focus:

sight words: 
come, to, my, we, go, see, a, I, the, like, can, and
Phonics:  Oo and Xx

Phonemic Awareness:  phoneme segmentation, final sounds
Writing: Writing 1-2 sentences
Reading:
Reading Strategies:  make your finger match the word,
                                 look at the Pictures (Eagle Eye)
                                check the first letter of the word (lips the fish)
                           stretch out the sounds in the word (stretchy snake)Comprehension Skills: inferring, problem/solution
Theme: Polar Express
Math: Size and Position
Student of the Week: 

Important Dates:
December 1-13th: Toy Drive (donations go to children in this community)
December 12-16:  Penguin Patch store
December 12: parent/teacher conferences in cafeteria
December 16:  Minimum Day (kinder only) 
December 16:  Christmas Centers/Holiday Performance at 10:30

Parent Conferences:  

  I am holding several conferences that day, back to back.  Please plan to arrive a few minutes early.  I am sorry, but I will not be able to run over your time slot if you are running late.  I look forward to meeting with you!

Penguin Patch Store

  This is a PTSA fundraiser that will allow your child to shop and pick out some special gifts for family members.  I will take students to the shop on Tuesday.  I will not be able to take them at a later date in the week so please plan to have your child's money to me before Tuesday. 

Holiday Performance

The Kindergarten students will perform some special Christmas songs to celebrate the season for you!  All are invited!  Parents, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles etc.  No need to be board approved for this.  Our performance will start at 10:30 in the cafeteria.  Please allow plenty of time to park and get to the cafeteria on this day.  This day will be a minimum day for kindergarten students only.  If you have older students, they will be on regular schedule this day.  All kindergartens will attend school from 7:45 to 11:30.  Parents who attend the performance will be able to take their children home from the classroom door immediately following the performance.  This will be a treat you won't want to miss!  

Holiday Surprises

Please send these before Thursday

I am asking each student to send in 24 small trinkets to share with the class for the holidays.  These may be small toys, pencils, erasers, small candies.  We will be filling small stockings with these trinkets so please be mindful of their size.  These can be brought to school any time over the next few weeks.  

Holiday Centers

We will be having our holiday centers on December 16 before the performance.  I would love parent help on this day.  You can plan to stay from 7:45 until the performance.  You will have plenty of time to head over and find space to enjoy the performance.  All volunteers in the classroom must be board approved.  Please message me if you'd like to help on this day.    

Share Homework

No share homework this week 

Week of December 5th

This Week's Focus:

sight words:  come
to, my, we, go, see, a, I, the, like, can, and
Phonics:  Dd and Rr

Phonemic Awareness:  phoneme segmentation, final sounds
Writing: Writing 1-2 sentences
Reading:
Reading Strategies:  make your finger match the word,
                                 look at the Pictures (Eagle Eye)
                                check the first letter of the word (lips the fish)
                           stretch out the sounds in the word (stretchy snake)Comprehension Skills: inferring, problem/solution
Theme: Gingerbread Boy
Math: Size and Position
Student of the Week: Onaie

Important Dates:
December 1-13th: Toy Drive (donations go to children in this community)
December 6:  Fall fundraiser pick up
December 12-16:  Penguin Patch store
December 12: parent/teacher conferences in cafeteria
December 16:  Minimum Day (kinder only) 
December 16:  Christmas Centers/Holiday Performance at 10:30

Parent Conferences:  

Parent/teacher conference times came home Wednesday.  If you have not yet confirmed with me, please do so asap by returning the bottom portion of the notice.  I am holding 24 conferences that day, back to back.  Please plan to arrive a few minutes early.  I am sorry, but I will not be able to run over your time slot if you are running late.  I look forward to meeting with you!

Penguin Patch Store

  This is a PTSA fundraiser that will allow your child to shop and pick out some special gifts for family members.   I will be  sure the students make it over to the store.  

Holiday Performance

The Kindergarten students will perform some special Christmas songs to celebrate the season for you!  All are invited!  Parents, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles etc.  No need to be board approved for this.  Our performance will start at 10:30 in the cafeteria.  Please allow plenty of time to park and get to the cafeteria on this day.  This day will be a minimum day for kindergarten students only.  If you have older students, they will be on regular schedule this day.  All kindergartens will attend school from 7:45 to 11:30.  Parents who attend the performance will be able to take their children home from the classroom door immediately following the performance.  This will be a treat you won't want to miss!  

Holiday Surprises

I am asking each student to send in 24 small trinkets to share with the class for the holidays.  These may be small toys, pencils, erasers, small candies.  We will be filling small stockings with these trinkets so please be mindful of their size.  These can be brought to school any time over the next few weeks.  

Holiday Centers

We will be having our holiday centers on December 16 before the performance.  I would love parent help on this day.  You can plan to stay from 7:45 until the performance.  You will have plenty of time to head over and find space to enjoy the performance.  All volunteers in the classroom must be board approved.  Please message me if you'd like to help on this day.  

I will send out a message of some items I need for the holiday centers.  Thank you in advance for your willingness to donate items.  

Share Homework

Write one to two sentences about Christmas. 

Week of November 28-December 2

Hi everyone!  Hope you all enjoyed your holiday week together!  We have a busy three weeks ahead of us as we close out the first semester of kindergarten!
I will be setting a day aside to conference with you and I will have your child's report card at that time.  The day will be one day during the week of December 12-16. I will have more info on that soon. 
I am looking forward to getting back to my kinder babies.  I have missed them!  I am so grateful for your patience and understanding while I took some time off.  This has and will be a very difficult holiday season for me and my family.

This Week's Focus:

sight words:  to
come, my, we, go, see, a, I, the, like, can, and
Phonics:  Ii and Gg

Phonemic Awareness:  phoneme segmentation, final sounds
Writing: We will be writing informational text about reindeer this week.  We will follow the "can, have, are" model
Reading:
Reading Strategies:  make your finger match the word,
                                 look at the Pictures (Eagle Eye)
                                check the first letter of the word (lips the fish)
                           stretch out the sounds in the word (stretchy snake)Comprehension Skills: inferring, problem/solution
Theme: Reindeer
Math: Size and Position
Student of the Week: I will pick from the can on Monday

Important Dates:
November  0:  Family Feast Day
December 2:  Minimum Day
December 16:  Minimum Day (kinder only) 
December 16:  Christmas Centers/Holiday Performance at 10:30

Family Feast

The Family Feast will be this Wednesday.  If you are having lunch with your child, please pick them up from the classroom door.  

THIS IS A VERY BUSY DAY AT CRAM.  ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME TO PARK AND GET TO THE CLASSROOM DOOR BY 11:00.  

ANY STUDENTS NOT HAVING LUNCH WITH THEIR FAMILY WILL BE WALKED TO THE CAFETERIA AT 11:15.  IF YOU ARE RUNNING LATE TO HAVE LUNCH, YOU WILL NEED TO FIND YOUR CHILD IN THE CAFETERIA.  THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE ON THIS DAY.  

PTSA Holiday Store

The information about this event is coming home Monday.  This is a PTSA fundraiser that will allow your child to shop and pick out some special gifts for family members.   I will be sure the students make it over to the store.  

Holiday Performance

The Kindergarten students will perform some special Christmas songs to celebrate the season for you!  All are invited!  Parents, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles etc.  No need to be board approved for this.  Our performance will start at 10:30 in the cafeteria.  Please allow plenty of time to park and get to the cafeteria on this day.  This day will be a minimum day for kindergarten students only.  If you have older students, they will be on regular schedule this day.  All kindergartens will attend school from 7:45 to 11:30.  Parents who attend the performance will be able to take their children home from the classroom door immediately following the performance.  This will be a treat you won't want to miss!  

Holiday Surprises

I am asking each student to send in 24 small trinkets to share with the class for the holidays.  These may be small toys, pencils, erasers, small candies.  We will be filling small stockings with these trinkets so please be mindful of their size.  These can be brought to school any time over the next few weeks.  

Holiday Centers

We will be having our holiday centers on December 16 before the performance.  I would love parent help on this day.  You can plan to stay from 7:45 until the performance.  You will have plenty of time to head over and find space to enjoy the performance.  All volunteers in the classroom must be board approved.  Please message me if you'd like to help on this day.  

Share Homework

This week's share homework will be to decorate the holiday tree in their homework folder. 

Week of November 7th

My dad lost his short, vicious battle with cancer yesterday after being diagnosed 1 month and 1 day ago.  I was blessed to be by his side along with my mom and brother his last few days and I will forever cherish that moment.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for allowing me to share something so precious to me with you and for respecting it so so much.  I thank you for all your kind words, support and hugs.
I will be taking the next 2 weeks to be with my family.  I will be postponing our parent conference to December.  I plan to take a kindergarten prep day and schedule your conferences back to back throughout that day.  Again, thank you for your support.
Mrs. Holke will be filling in for me next week (a 2 day week for students) and most likely the following week as well (all minimum days).
I would like to still have our Thanksgiving Tasting Feast for the kiddos and will be discussing that with some parents so that we can organize that.  I will be communicating with you throughout these next 2 weeks via Remind and our blog.  I will still be having regular scheduled parent helpers in the classroom as we work to complete "Christmas Art" (yes, I work like a retail store).  Feel free to message me any questions you may have, you will not be "bothering" me in the least.
Because I will not be seeing you before our Thanksgiving Break, I wish you and your family a blessed holiday for we all have much to be thankful for!

**There will be NO HOMEWORK this week or next week**